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Tuesday, December 24, 2013

At 550, living on borrowed time

Children around the
world look to Santa Claus as a model of good behavior. But can this
sleigh-riding bearer of goodies also be a model good health habits for adults?

"Because Santa is
probably more than 550 years old, a lot of people would say that growing older
hasn't been a problem for him,'" said Dr. Thomas Cavalieri, dean of the
Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine. "But aging successfully
means more than adding years to your life. Successful aging means you are
adding life to your years."

Cavalieri is a
geriatrician and the founder of the medical school's nationally acclaimed New
Jersey Institute for Successful Aging. Although he has never personally
examined Santa, his expertise allows him to draw the following remarkably
specific conclusions about the "jolly old elf" and his naughty and nice
health habits:

Naughty: The 1823 poem, A Visit from St.
Nicholas, describes Santa as "chubby and plump" and, 190 years
later, he still looks like he could lose a few pounds. Skipping some of those
sugary snacks that children leave for him would help Santa avoid the weight
gain that could lead to conditions like heart disease and diabetes. Statistics
show that half of adults older than 65 has diabetes or prediabetes.

Nice, but used to be
naughty: Santa used to be
seen with the "stump of a pipe…held tight in his teeth" while the
smoke "encircled his head like a wreath." Fortunately, he appears to
have given up this habit. No matter how old you are, quitting smoking
immediately improves your health.

Mostly Nice: While late-night snacks can cause
heartburn, the milk Santa drinks is a good source of bone-building vitamin D
and calcium. Santa should stick to low- or non-fat milk, and combine it with
vitamin fortified foods and weight bearing exercises to keep his bones strong
and limit his risk of osteoporosis.

Nice: Despite his size and age, Santa probably
sticks to a regular exercise program throughout the year. Otherwise, he
wouldn't be able to remain so "lively and quick" while delivering
gifts around the world. Carrying a sack full of toys strengthens his muscles,
which improves balance and helps prevent falls. Climbing up and down chimneys
-- while not recommended -- is likely good cardiovascular exercise, similar to
the kind of workout you get with a brisk walk, a bike ride or walking up and
down steps.

Probably Nice: Santa is "…making a list and checking
it twice." This may be a sign of some age-related difficulties with
memory, but making lists is an excellent way to compensate for this sometimes
vexing problem. Keeping active -- by making toys with the elves year round --
will help, too. Regular exercise improves heart health and a healthy heart
means a healthy brain.

Nice: Santa keeps a herd of reindeer. Though not
for everyone, caring for a pet can yield several health benefits. Pet ownership
can help lower blood pressure, ease anxiety, reduce social isolation and even
boost the immune system. Having a pet can also provide opportunities for
exercise.

Nice: Santa and Mrs. Claus have been married for
a long time and marriage appears to be strongly related to successful aging.
Newly published research shows that married people were more likely than others
to survive cancer. Marriage also provides psychological benefits. The social
connections that are part of married life go a long way toward helping limit the
effects of depression and stress.

"When you add it
all together, Santa's health habits definitely put him on a successful aging
path that others can follow," Cavalieri said. "He appears to be in
pretty good shape and should be able to continue filling Christmas wishes for
many years to come."

Thought for the day

You’d be forgiven if you hadn’t noticed. His verbal bombshells are louder than ever, but Donald J Trump is no longer president of the United States. By having no constructive response to any of the monumental crises now convulsing America, Trump has abdicated his office. He is not governing. He’s golfing, watching cable TV and tweeting…

In reality, Donald Trump doesn’t run the government of the United States. He doesn’t manage anything. He doesn’t organize anyone. He doesn’t administer or oversee or supervise. He doesn’t read memos. He hates meetings. He has no patience for briefings. His White House is in perpetual chaos.

Robert Reich

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